ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

TikTok Food Critic Keith Lee's Impact Turns Ailing Chicago Restaurant Into a Popular Destination

Soul Prime's story serves as a testament to the power of community support and the tremendous financial impact of an influencer's visit.
PUBLISHED JAN 7, 2024
Chicago’s Soul Prime Restaurant. Pexels | By ELEVATE
Chicago’s Soul Prime Restaurant. Pexels | By ELEVATE

In the bustling landscape of Lincoln Park, Shonya “Chef Royce” Williams embarked on a culinary adventure in May 2023 by opening Soul Prime, an "elevated soul food" eatery. However, as the months passed, challenges mounted, and Royce found herself grappling with dwindling daily sales, dipping as low as $800. The turning point in this tale of struggle came with an unexpected visit from Keith Lee, a TikTok food critic with a staggering 15.5 million followers.

Keith Lee effect. Pexels | By Chan Walrus
Keith Lee effect (representational image) | Pexels/Chan Walrus

Chef Royce's culinary journey traces back to her roots on the West Side, where, as a little girl, she would avoid the kitchen at all costs. However, the culinary wisdom passed down from her grandmother, mother, and aunt persisted. Royce's love for cooking blossomed during her years as a young mother, earning her the nickname "brown bag lady" in the late '90s for delivering gourmet lunches to various establishments.

Despite her initial success, Royce faced a series of setbacks, including health issues that culminated in a stroke. Forced to put her culinary dreams on hold, she navigated through mental health challenges, eventually finding solace in hosting dinner parties and attempting to open a restaurant in the Austin neighborhood. The deal stalled, leaving Royce questioning when her fortunes would turn.

The breakthrough came in the form of winning the rental contract for the Lincoln Park property, which Royce considered an answered prayer. However, the struggle to attract customers to the business cast a shadow over her dreams.

In the midst of these challenges, Keith Lee, a TikTok sensation renowned for his food critiques, made an unannounced visit to Soul Prime on September 15. Unbeknownst to Royce, this visit would prove to be a game-changer. Lee, with his 10-point rating system, sampled various dishes, offering notable scores such as 8.7 for the golden fried chicken with hot honey sauce, and 9.2 for the short rib tacos.

Pixabay | Pexels | Representative Image
Fried chicken (representative image) | Pexels/Pixabay

But beyond just the ratings that set this visit apart, Keith Lee did something unprecedented, as he went back inside the restaurant, spoke to Chef Royce about her struggles, and matched the day's sales, amounting to $2,200. The impact was profound, extending beyond the culinary realm. Royce recalls the emotional moment when Lee took her hand and offered a heartfelt prayer, forging a connection that transcended the typical reviewer-restaurant dynamic.

Willie “Unique” Hearan IV, Royce’s nephew and employee, emphasized the significance of Keith Lee’s visit, stating, that Keith Lee came as a blessing that changed their lives forever.

Soul Prime | Pexels
Soul Prime | Pexels

The TikTok video featuring Soul Prime's culinary delights garnered an astonishing 9 million views, turning the restaurant into a sought-after destination for both locals and out-of-towners. Customers flocked to experience the dishes that had earned such high praise from Keith Lee. Beyond the influx of patrons, the restaurant witnessed an outpouring of support from the community, with people leaving donations and expressing belief in Chef Royce’s story.

Image Source: Pexels/On Shot
Inside of a restaurant (representational image) | Pexels/On Shot

Amidst the newfound success, Chef Royce remains resolute in her commitment to Soul Prime's future. Expressing gratitude for the support received, she envisions expanding the restaurant's staff and enhancing the menu’s unique twist on traditional soul food.

Image Source: Photo by Sarah  Chai | Pexels
Putting freshly cooked food in a container (representational image) | Pexels/Sarah Chai 

As Soul Prime looks to the future, Chef Royce's determination and the unexpected impact of the Keith Lee effect have opened doors for potential collaborations and partnerships.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The player, Catrice Sandt, nearly blew the Bonus Round puzzle by saying too many words in the end.
4 hours ago
The co-founders of Nature's Wild Berry left the Sharks in shock with their miraculous product.
6 hours ago
The contestant named Whitney could barely control her emotions as she celebrated with Ryan Seacrest.
9 hours ago
The player named Kathy Young missed out on the Showcase Showdown as she had to leave.
1 day ago
Harrison closed a mega deal by scooping up three post cards for the price of one.
1 day ago
The guest who brought his father's prized possesion, had already made up his mind.
1 day ago
Harvey got a genius solution to avoid asking an awkward question to Carson Kressley's family member.
2 days ago
The player could barely control her excitement as she had a near-perfect game on the show.
2 days ago
Harrison knew it was too good of a collection to let go, and he decided to raise the stakes.
3 days ago
The guest who had little no idea about his family heirloom was shocked to know its significance.
3 days ago
Despite making a higher than usual offer, Harrison failed to close the deal.
3 days ago
The guest regretted that she wouldn't be able to keep the highly valued item in her home anymore.
3 days ago
They also triggered a showdown between Mark Cuban and Daniel Lubetsky before closing the deal.
4 days ago
As Heather took a second to solve the final puzzle, Seacrest admitted she made it look easy.
4 days ago
Carey suffered a similar snafu a few months ago while playing the same game of 'Bullseye'.
5 days ago
Fans also share some tips that could've helped Bain win the bonus round but it was too late.
5 days ago
Emily Croke coincidentally got the question related to her great-great aunt, Emily Folger.
5 days ago
Luckily for the veteran host, no one in the studio caught the mistake on time.
5 days ago
The executive producer of the show, Michael Davies later apologized for the spoiled show.
5 days ago
Even the seasoned expert was stumped by the unusual subject of the painting.
5 days ago